Battle with Stage 3 Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Being diagnosed with breast cancer was one of the scariest moments in my life. I didn't think it could get much worse. Then I found out I'm HER2 positive which makes the cancer faster growing. The following week I learned it's also inflammatory which is even more aggressive and puts me at Stage 3B. My 5 year survival rate dropped to 40% because of this. I turned 60 in August and already have a heart condition brought on by high blood pressure I acquired in May 2021 after filing a case in family court two months prior. Before March 2021, I was a reasonably healthy woman with a bright future.

I have always worked 80-100 hours per week for my entire lifetime but that needs to change now. I can no longer work this much or as hard while I am in treatment and need to focus on my health and in fighting this disease.

I would like to see my future grandkids someday and I would like to see my son graduate from college and then law school. I would like to be able to help my daughter if/when she ever needs help in the future. This may not be an option for me anymore, although I am going to fight like heck to try and beat this monster. I always believed I could provide for them and never have them worry about their future. My son is only in his second year of college and has 3 years of law school after he finishes his undergrad in 2026. I need to have enough put away for his education so that he doesn't have to worry about funding that. I'm terrified I may not be able to give him the education he has worked so hard for his entire life, especially after the hours and years I have dedicated to providing for my family's needs.

I have blasted through savings, cancelled life insurance policies, sold all my stocks, cancelled longtime charity donations to multiple organizations that I'd been supporting over 30 years and even stopped sending flowers to my mothers grave each month to be able to afford attorney fees. All those have been depleted and last month my attorney quit because my retainer ran out. I still owe over $20,000 in prior attorney fees and have over $300,000 in credit card debt from fees over the past 32 months.

I am not the type of person to ask for handouts but my doctor keeps telling me stress and anxiety feed cancer. I am at the end of my rope and cannot see any other way to ensure I can provide for my children after I'm gone, or even while I am recovering from this. Please know that if I can beat this cancer and get back to work, I will do everything in my power to pay back anyone who helps me. Thank you so much for your consideration and assistance.